Paddling trips available on Parkers Creek

Writer'S NOTEBOOK

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

The third annual kayak and canoe paddle from Parkers Creek to Flag Ponds along the Calvert Cliffs shoreline will take place 7:30 a.m. to noon on Saturday, May 30. The approximately 7�-mile journey is moderately strenuous, and experience is recommended.

The cost is $30 per person, or $25 for members of the ACLT or Battle Creek Nature Education Society.

Call Battle Creek Nature Center at 410-535-5327 to register. T-shirt, lunch and a shuttle for return are provided.

"It's a good idea to have some paddling experience. It's quite a long paddle. I'm gearing up to do it so I've been paddling a little every night," said ACLT Land Manager Liz Stoffel. "The other thing is occasionally the bay may start out calm and then may get rougher. Last year it was way too rough. We dumped two people in five minutes. We ended up going up Parkers Creek."

The next day, Sunday, May 31, a guided canoe trip on Parkers Creek provides opportunities for both experienced and new paddlers, though some parts of the trip will also be strenuous.

The 9 a.m. to noon trip will launch from Warrior's Rest on Scientists Cliffs Road in Port Republic. Arrive early to sign in and get instructions.

There is a suggested $10 donation and reservations are required. Register online at www.acltweb.org or call 410-414-3400.

"We've had two different speakers in the last two years who have given some educational and interpretive natural history of the land geology and talked about how Flag Ponds was formed, also a lot about the [Calvert] Cliffs. It's been really educational. I've learned so much. It's a lot of fun. It's super a lot of fun," Stoffel said.

State resurfacing county roads

This month, the State Highway Administration began resurfacing nearly seven lane miles of Chesapeake Beach Road from Cornwall Road to the Mt. Harmony Road Bridge.

The project is one of seven being funded by federal stimulus dollars, according to a release.

Other projects are:

Summer 2009

- Route 2 from Sunderland to Chesapeake Beach Road

- Route 261 from Chesapeake Village/Bayside Road to the US Naval Laboratory

Fall 2009

- Broomes Island Road from Ball Road to Williams Wharf Road;

- Route 264 from Route. 2-4 to Ball Road;

- Route 2-4 from Route. 264 to Parkers Creek;

- Rousby Hall Road from Olivet Road to H.G. Trueman Road

Under the $6 million project, a total of more than 29 lane miles of state roadway will be resurfaced in Calvert County.

SMADC Hosts Estate Planning Workshop for farmers

The Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission will host an estate planning workshop specifically designed to benefit the region's agricultural community, according to a release.

The workshop will stress the importance of estate planning to protect the family farm and financial assets from excessive taxation.

The workshop will feature case studies to illustrate hypothetical "real life" situations that may mirror the status of many farming families in the region.

Although there is no way to illustrate every possible scenario and associated solutions, it is hoped that these case studies will educate farmers on estate planning techniques and help them to avoid the common pit falls that can be very costly in the long term.

The workshop is free to the public and will take place on Monday, June 15, at 6 p.m. in the SMECO auditorium, located at 15035 Burnt Store Road in Hughesville. Advanced registration is required by June 12.

For more information and to RSVP, contact SMADC staff at 301-274-1922. In case of cancellation due to inclement weather call 301-274-1922 and enter 29 to hear a recording. For more information on related programs, visit the SMADC website: www.somarylandso-good.com.

Livestock expo coming in June

Animal owners ages 8 to 21 are invited to participate in the fifth annual Southern Maryland Livestock Expo at the St. Mary's Count Fairgrounds on June 27 and 28. The SMILE show is a competition for regional youth which includes classes for the traditional livestock breeds of sheep, beef, swine and goats, and a horse show.

SMILE offers a venue for young people from across the region to share their common interest in raising and showing animals at an event that offers an educational component as well as the opportunity to compete in a fun and friendly environment.

This year the horse show will have a new format with a video review of the riders and their mounts. Riders will be videotaped as they compete. After the riding portion of the show the judge will review all the classes and comment on each rider's performance.

SMILE is sponsored by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission, the St. Mary's County Fair Board, county farm bureaus and local businesses, and is organized by SMILE committee members and the collaborative efforts of dedicated volunteers. Admission is free to the general public to view the competitions.

For registration forms and information on show days and times, rules, and breed class requirements go to www.somarylandsogood.com/events or call Susan McQuilkin at SMADC on 301-274-1922.

Registration for all livestock classes is due by June 6. Breed registration and veterinary certificates are required. Preregistration for horse show is due by June 24.

emitrano@somdnews.com